With United ($UAL (+0.37%) ), American ($AAL (+0.7%)
), JetBlue ($JBLU (+0.75%) ) and other airlines, it is more expensive to check baggage at the airport than the service online in advance. This year, the airlines have increased the baggage fees to cover increased costs to compensate for increased costs.
One exception among the major US airlines is Southwest Airlines ($LUV (+0.41%) ), which allows its customers to two bags free of charge free of charge. According to Chief Operating Officer Andrew Watterson this will not change in the future.
Watterson emphasized in an interview that the airlines do not 35 or 40 US dollars to handle a piece of luggage.